A SUNDAY ADVENTURE

INCREDIBLE, RIGHT?

I just had the most incredible day today! I was able to experience the baptism of someone who has made the decision to follow Christ. This young man, we’ll call him Fred [since it is not safe for me to mention his real name], grew up with a Muslim family in a Muslim country. He came to Canada last year for a conference where he ran into our DRIME team doing ministry in Vancouver. He is a very intellectual man and got into a deep conversation with Tanya [the Director of DRIME]. At Tanya’s invitation he came to church with her and some friends the following day. He ended up going to church with them for the remaining Sundays he was in Canada for. They had lots of good conversations about Jesus but Fred left Canada without making a decision.

Last week Tanya received a call from Fred who told her about how his life has changed since they met. Over the past year he began to open up his heart to God; he began to read the Bible from his heart, rather than from his mind. God was at work in his heart and Fred came to the place where he desired to be in a relationship with Jesus! He has desired to be baptized for some time now, but had to wait until he came to the USA, since outwardly converting to Christianity in a Muslim country results in death.

I drove to LA this morning so I could be part of his baptism – and what a blessing it was to be there! The joy that radiated from his smile was infectious and hearing about his journey with Jesus was inspiring! He was SO excited to FINALLY be baptized, despite the risk this presents to his safety and that of his family. He said this during the service:

"I was blessed being born to a family with great hearts, they gave me a name which means the one who seeks and probes to find the truth, I am so happy that I finally found the Truth and finally got what I really wanted. Even though my life is at risk, they cannot take away my soul as I have dedicated my soul to Jesus, my Lord."

Incredible, right?!?!

MY THOUGHTS AND MUSINGS

This has reminded me of how lightly I take baptism; how ‘normal’ it is to me. I suppose growing up surrounded by Christianity does that to a person. But I don’t want it to be ‘normal’ anymore because it shouldn’t be. Following Jesus outwardly should be a risk for all of us. I think I have become too complacent; I subconsciously try too hard to fit in with society and do as ‘they’ say. I think if I were to really live the kind of life Jesus calls me to live my life would look a little different. I think it probably starts with straightening out my priorities and putting God first in every area of my life...something that is much easier said than done. The baptism of my new friend Fred has reminded me that I am called to a higher purpose because I am following Jesus, even if it means risking looking different from the societal norm.

I don’t know if that all makes sense to you but I thought I’d share what’s going on in my heart because it has been inspiring for me. I hope you can glean something from it too! Today has also encouraged me because it reminded me that God is touching and transforming lives of people through the DRIME ministry, not only in Benin but also in North America!!